98/April – GC2 Clear Creek
Six guys, six packs, one minivan, no rack, what could be better.
Who needs a rack, just squeeze it in.
Assume the positions.
The king drives.
The GPS owner navigates.
Hydro/powerbarman middle left (as always)
B.M. man middle for digestive equilibrium.
The rest are back of the bus.
Taco Bell or Carl's? We'll do both.
These clouds don't look threatening.
This rain isn't too bad.
That lightning is nothing to worry about.
This wind is not too bad.
It'll burn off.
You guys are too lazy to get out of the car to do a Chevy Chase
look at the canyon and you think you're ready for an epic?
Where's that Chinese place Ricky?
Veggie burgers at a Steakhouse?
$4 Iowa beer called Rattlesnake?
15% Arizona tip is actually 17%
No Playboys at the gift shop. Darn.
Playboy, Penthouse, or Hustler? I wimped out.
4:45AM yikes.
Don't take a shower if it snowing, I'll open up the pores.
Girl friend in a coma. La la la la la.
What happened to our favorite bus driver? This guy is good.
Time to go down. Lift 'em boys.
Remember six in and only five out.
See you at the bottom Ricky.
Down down down down.
Girl friend in a coma. La la la la la.
Perfect hiking weather.
It's as green as Hawaii out here, relatively speaking.
What's with that gaging station? How does it work?
Another lunch at Phantom. Fill 'em up.
How much is a 35 cent phone call from the bottom of the canyon?
A phone is a phone, guys.
Time to go up. What happened to that cool weather?
Don't forget where we left this wine.
Up up up up up.
Larry's lunch isn't digesting so well.
We're about half way.
No, now were half way.
No, now for sure we are half way.
No, now we are lost.
How did I miss that turn, you sheep?
Thank god for GPS, no thank General Dynamics.
It's mostly level the rest of the way. Paul's famous last words
Down down down. Way steep down.
17 miles of hell with 50 pounds of wine, vodka, and magazines on our backs.
A truly epic day.
Home for now.
Where's OUR Thermarest chairs, Tom?
Bachelor party time! Wild. Spices Thai Girls dancing in our minds.
Excellent curry and rice.
Good white chocolate chips.
Thank you for the Playboy joke narration, Paul.
Thank you for the Playboy reading light, Paul.
Best Pisco Sour north of Peru.
Fine twice imported Italian wine.
Sure you guys don't want those rain flies on?
Beautiful morning.
Who's idea was it to bring the bug netting? Smart.
So, we're ALL going to the river right? Like we agreed?
Larry's out. Optional recovery day.
Ricky, Gary, and Paul are going north to the "alleged" falls.
The "real" men head south.
Fierce heat and strong currents and extreme scrambling slow our pace.
Must turn back to help feed the troops.
River not bagged. Goal unattained. Bring sandals next time TOM!
Alleged falls and Indian ruins are spectacular.
Larry guards camp, sacrificing his own food to a mouse for the team.
Time to "go down" on the creek, and I mean all the way down.
10 minutes of private time and then the camera goes on.
Dinner in the rain. What could be better. Protect the Playboy!
Another great chicken rice dish.
Good white chocolate stuck together chips.
Thank you Linda for YOUR birthday present.
Vodka sours/Gatorum. Mmmm Mmmm good.
Floating flies in lieu of fruit and little umbrellas.
Time to get out. Bright Angel here we come.
Up up up up up.
Now, how about a hiker's union?
Lunch with a view.
Down down down down.
Bright Angel civilization.
Running water. Power. Toilets. Phone. Picnic table.
What are we going to do this afternoon in the rain? Drink beer!
Last call. Closing. $25 fine. Whatever. I'll pack it out.
What we are going to do the rest of the afternoon? Drink wine!
Beautiful river beach. Warm sun. Cold water. Dunk your head if you're a man.
All those Ausies are the same. Cocky bastards.
Gourmet three course meal. How about salad next time?
Good white chocolate solid chunk.
Early start. No sleeping in on the last day. Out by 6AM. Tom is happy.
Up up up up. Down down down.
Now its up up up up up up up.
Every man for himself from the 3 mile point on.
How many powerbars can Gary eat?
How can he make it with no waistband and bad ankles?
Up up up up up up. Done.
All six out by 10:40AM. Amazing. Record time.
Man was that a great beer.
Man was that a great Big Mac.
Hit the road. Back by 8PM.
Girl friend in a coma. La la la la la.
Tom is the machine.
Thank you Tom for another great trip.
You are THE KING.
Very dependable/tough/compatible/fun group.
Lets do it again. Where next?
Rim-River-Creek-River-Rim (RRCRR)
djj
p.s. No, it was "Six boys in and five men out" Who is the boy?